I have been having ALOT of pain in my last upper right molar for about a year. Six months ago I went to a dentist who X-rayed and said I had an abcess and would need a root canal, which he quoted at $1600!! Needless to say, having no insurance I left because he gave me no other options. I can no longer take the pain.
My question is, If I have the tooth extracted (the most affordable thing), will my teeth shift? Will my cheek sink in? I'm in my early twenties and every time I suggest "extraction" to friends they say they think I should save the tooth for these reasons. Are these problems possible?? Also I heard the infection can settle in different areas of my body, like on my heart for example.
First of all, DO NOT have a general dentist do a root canal, you could end up in the emergency room like I did. Have an endodontist do root canal and arrange a payment plan.I can't stress enough the importance of having a specialist do it. I have had nothing but trouble with my tooth because of a bumbling buffoon of a dentist.Cost a total of $2500, didn't get my moneys worth.
Hi, Rainh8r. I would try and save the tooth. Find an Endondtist who will work with you; let you make payments. Later on, if you save the tooth, you'll be happy you did. If the root canal fails, then maybe extraction. Usually, one root canal will do the trick. Dental treatment is so expensive: I can't figure out why dental isn't included with medical insurance. Its ridiculous. People shouldn't have to pull their teeth, because they can't afford treatment for their teeth! Debbie
having one tooth extracted will not cause your cheek to sink in. shifting could happen, ask you r dentist about this. but with it being the back molar i wouldn't think it would be to much of a problem. i just had mine taken out and am glad i did. no more pain.
Well, thanks to all who gave me your advice. Last evening i called a dentist who was kind enough to call in prescriptions for tylennol w/ co and penicillin. He said because there are no visible signs he thought it was a gas abcess, the worst kind. I'm taking these drugs like my life depends on them!And I can't figure why a precription is needed for this Tylenol, it seems to do NOTHING for the pain! I got about two hours of sleep I never thought mouth pain could make me cry! Now I underdstand how Tom Hanks could knock his own tooth out in Cast Away! I will have a whole new compassion for people with this kind of problem in the future! I guess that's why you all are here posting back to me! Thanks again.
You need to get treatment on this tooth. Antibiotics and pain killers are only a temporary fix, you will not get relief until you treat the source of the problem.
extractions?? 
